Motor vehicle construction



June 13, 1933. T. ULRICH 1,913,524

' MOTOR VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 23, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 13, 1933. T. ULRICH MOTOR VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 25, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 13, 1933 i I UNETED TATES IPA-TENT OFFICE na'r omor DETRQITLMICHIGAN; a CORPORATION or VIRGINIA imoron'vnnicrn coNSTnuc'rIoN j np neana filed may as, .1932} Serial names.

This invention relates generally to vehicle chassisconstruction .and refers more particularly toimproved means for supporting brake rods or other accessories from the chassis frame.

p Heretofore it? has been customary to se-* cure the various brake operating rods tothef I side sills of the chassis frame by means of.

relatively. heavy castings permanently fined 0 to the side; sills. The foregoing arrange ment while satisfactory in effecting the de- I sired results is; nevertheless, meflicient from the standpoint of manufacture since the combined weight of j the I castings appreciably adds to the weight offthe chassis and "ma terially increases the cost of production.

It is. therefore one ofIthe principalobjects of the present invention to reduce the weight as well as the costIof manufacture of motor vehicle chassis by providinga rela-I tively light and inexpensive mounting for the brake rode on the chassis frame.

@The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this descrip tion proceeds, especially when considered. in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein: I I I I Figure 1 is afraginentary side elevational I view of a chassishaving brakerods mounted thereon in accordance with thepresent invention; I

Figure 2 is a of the construction shown inFigure 1;

Figure?) is an enlarged fragmentary side r elevational view of aportion ofthe chassis frame illustrating the mounting for one of a the rear brake rods; I I I I Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectionalview taken substantially on the line 4+4; of Figure 3; W

Figure 5 taken on the line5.5 of Figure 3 Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the chassis frame il-I lustrating the mounting provided for one of the front brake rods; I I

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view takenon the line 77 of Figure 6; i

I taken on the line 88 of Figure 6.

fragmentary top view is "a transverse sectional view 1 Figure 8 is transverse sectional view tlon of the s1de Sllll]: ISPIOVldGCl with long1- Inasmuch as motorvehicles as now co1nmercially produced are usually provided with. four-wheelwbrakes, I have shown my invention for the purpose of illustration as associated with vehicles of this character.

I Innononnjo ma es-mm, MIcnIeAN, AssIenoR 'ronnrr motron can conro r In] view of the fact that one side of the andrear wheel brakes are of conventional construction and are operatively connected I to a transverselyextending rockshaft 14 in the us ualmanner by means of brakerod assemblies 15 and 16, respectively. The rock Sherrie is journaled in anysuitable manner upon the side sills of the frame and is preferablyIconnected to a suitable control lever I (not shown) for actuation thereby.

I As shown particularly .in Figure 1, the brake rod assemblies comprises rods 15' and 16" respectivelyconnected to the brakes 12 and 18 for actuating the latter by means of flexible cables so designed as to permit unobstructed movement of the brakes relative to the chassis frame. 7 end of the rod 15. to the brake 12 is designated herein by thereference character 17 and, as shown particularly in Figures 6 and 7, is adjustably connected to the rod 15.

The aforesaid adjustable connection comprises a nut 18 swivelly connected to the rear end of the cable 17 in the usual way and threadedly mounted upon the forward end oftherod 15' so that rotation of the nut varies the effective length of: the operative connection between the rocksha ft and brake 12 The nut 18 is preferably held inits va I rious adjusted positions by means of a lock nut19 threadedly mounted upon the rod 15 in a position to engage the rear end of the adjustable nut 18; I I

In the present instance the rear end portion of the cable 17 is detachably anchored to theside sill 11 of the frame, and for accomplishing this result, the vertical web por- The cable connecting the tending depressions 22 and 23. In forming f the depression 22 in the side sill, the forward edge of the opening 21 is displaced niwardly relative to the rear edge thereof and provided for extending the forward; portions of the brake rod 15 through the vertical web of the sill to a position adjacent the outer side of the latter with the adjusting nut 18 located opposite the depression 22. The depth of the depression is so determined as to provide ample clearance for the'adjusting nut and permits convenient manipulation of the same from a position exteriorly of the chassis frame.

In forming the-depression 23, the forward edge of the opening 20 is displaced inwardly relative to the rear edge of the same forming a shoulder 24 and the portion of the web between the shoulder 24 and depression 22 is fashioned to form an inwardly extending substantially semi-circular depression 25. The depression 25 in the side sill cooperates with a suitable cap 26 for clamping the reduced rear end portion 27 of a terminal member 28 to the vertical web of the side sill. The terminal member 28 is fixed to the rear end of a flexible conduit 28 through which the cable 17 extends, and the reduced portion 27 of theterminal member forms an annular shoulder 29 arranged to abut the shoulder 24 on the side sill as well as the forward edge of the cap 26. The cap 26 is preferably detachably secured to the outer side, of the vertical web portion of theside sill between the depressions 22 and 23 by means of the bolts 30, with the result that the same may be readily assembled with or removed from the frame. Thus, from the foregoing, it will be apparent that portions of the side sill cooperate with the cap 26 to form an efficient clamp for the brake rod assembly 15. It will further be apparent from the above construction that the reaction of the brake rod is transferred directly to the side sill 11 in a direction substantially in the plane of the web of the latter by reason of the cooperating engaging shoulders 24 and 291ir1espectively on the conduit 28 andside si 1 1. 30 of the reaction stresses and permits the same as well as the cap to be formed relatively light.

While the brake rodv assembly 16 between the rockshaft 14 and rear brake 13 may be identical to the connection hereinbefore described, if desired, nevertheless,Ihave found This latter feature relieves the bolts it to be more practical in certain instances to provide the following construction featured in Figures 3 to 5, inclusive. As shown ly as at 32. In depressing the portions 32 inwardly,vthe 'rear'marginal edge 33 of the opennig 31 is displaced laterally inwardly relative to the front marginal edge 34 of the opening and provides for extending the brake rod 16 through the'vertical web of the side sill as shown in Figure 4.

- In the present instance, the-rear end of the brake rod 16 is connected to the forward end of a flexible cable 35 extending from the brake 13 by means of a suitable coupling 36, and the latter cable 35 is supported within a flexible conduit 37 which in turn is clamped to the side sill 11 of the frame in a manner to be presently described. WVhile the coupling 36 may be of the adjustable type, nevertheless, I have not shown it as such in the present instance, since it is locatedupon the" inner'side of the side sill 11 rendering it relatively inaccessible for manipulation. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, adjustment of the brake rod is accomplished by the usual compensating connection between the rod and rockshaft (not shown in detail herein). In constructions wherein the coupling 36 is located in proximity to the opening 31 through which the cable extends to the exterior of the frame as in the present instance, it is necessary to displace a portion of the vertical web of the sill 11 outwardly as at 38 to provide sufiicient clearance for the coupling. However, the necessity of forming the depression 38 may be obviated by in creasing the length of the rod 16 so as to provide for locating the coupling at a point where sufiicient clearance is normally provided between the coupling and the side sill of the frame.

As previously stated, the flexible conduit for the cable 35 is anchored to the side sill of the frame and this is accomplished herein by fashioning the portion of vertical web of the side sill adjacent the marginal edge 34 of the opening to form an outwardly extending semi-circular depression 39. The semicircular depression 39 is similar in purpose to the depression 25 hereinbefore described in that itcooperates with a suitable cap 40 to clamp the reduced portion 41 on the forward end of a terminal member 42 to the side sill; The terminal member 42 is fixed to the forward end of the flexible conduit 37 and the reduced portion 41 thereof forms an annular shoulder 43 which serves to abut the marginal edge 34 of the opening 31, as well as the rear edge. of the cap 40. As clearly shown in Figure the' enlarged portion of the coupling is located within the ening 31, while the portion of the conduit a j acent thereto is located in the depression -32, with the result that ample clearance is provided for these parts.

V tionis taken through thesicle sills by reason, of the engagement of theshoulder 3x011 the the cit-p is uponthe inner H As will be observed from the foregoing,

'de of the vertical web of the side sill andfis detachably clamped thereto by meansotbolts 'andFnuts 45. Asin the previously described construction, the reaction of the brake rod connecterminal member with the shoulder 34 0 i the vertical web of the side sill.

these parts as compared to constructions of the type hereinbefore employed for this purpose. It will also be observed that the an chorage means illustrated herein provides for transferring the reaction of the brake rods to the side sills of the frame substantially in the plane of thevertical web portions of the latter.

While "in the illustrative embodiment of the invention the anchorage means for the front and rear brake rods difier slightly from each other, nevertheless,it is to be noted. that under certain conditions, it may changes as maycome within the purview of theaccon'ipanying claims. 1

What I claim as my lnvention is: 51. A vehicle chassisconstruction having in combination, a side sill provided with a vertical. web portion having an opening therethrough with the front and rear edges of the opening offset laterally relative to each other, a brakerod member provided with a terminal portion engageable in a depression formed in the Web of the sill adjacent one of the aforesaid edges of the opening, and a cap fdetachably secured to the sill and having a portion cooperating with said depression to clamp the terminal portion aforesaid to said Web.

2. A vehicle, chassis construction having in combination, a side sill provided with a a vertical web portion having an opening therethrough with the front and rear edges thereof offset laterally relative to each other, a brake rod member provided with a 1 terminal element having a reduced portion engageable in a depression formed in the web of the sill adjacent one of the ed es aforesaid ofthe opening with the shoul er formed thereby in abutting relation with thela'tter edge of the opening, and a cap detacliably secured to the side sill, and engageable with the reduced portion of the 'terminal element for clamping the same Within said depression.

3. A vehicle chassis construction having in combination a side sill provided with a vertical web portion having an opening therethrough and having a portionadjacent one edge of the opening laterally offset to provide: a depression, a brake rod member extending opposite the depression and havlng a terminal POItlQIl provided with a re duced end engageable in adepression formed in the portion of the Web adjacent the edge or theopening opposite the edge aforesaid, and acap member detachably secured to the s'ide silland engageable withthe re ducedend of the terminal portion for clamping the same to the webjwith the shoulder formed by said reduced portion in abutting relation with the last mentioned edge of the opening.

tl A "vehicle chassis construction having in combination, a side sill provided with a vertical web portion fashioned to forma depression in one side thereof, a brake rod member havinga terminal portion seated within said depression, and detachable means for clampingthe terminal portion of said member in the depression aforesaid.

5'. A vehicle chassis construction having in combination, a sidesillprovided with a vertical web having a portion laterally offset to form a shoulder and fashioned with a depression in one side thereof, a member having a reduced portion seated within the depresson with the shoulder formedthereby in abuttingrelationto the shoulder aforesaid on the web, and *means cooperating with the depressed portion of the web for clamping the member to the sill.

6. A vehicle chassis construction having in combination, a side sill provided with ,a vertical web having an opening there through and having the portion adjacent one side edge of the opening offset latorally relativeto the portion at the other side edge of the opening, a brake rod assembly; extending from a position adjacent one side of the web through the opening to a position adjacent theopposite side of the Web, means for supporting thebra-ke rod assembly from the sillincluding a member having a terminal portion engageable in a depression formed inthe portion of the web adjacent one of theedges aforesaid of the opening, and means cooperating with the web to clamp the terminal. portionwithin the depression aforesaid.

7Q A vehiclechassls construction having Hill tion engageable Within a laterally eXtend-.

ing depression formed in the portion of the web adjacent the second named edge afore-,

said of the opening with the shoulder formed by the reduced portion in abutting engagement with the latter edge of the opening, and a cap having a portion detachably secured to the web and having another portion engageable with the, reduced portion of the terminal element for clamping the same in said depression, I

8. A vehicle chassis construction having in combination, a side sill provided with a vertical web having an opening therethrough and having a portion at one side of'the opening bent laterally to form a depression, a brake rod extending from a position adjacent one side of the web through the opening to a position adjacent the opposite side of the web within the depression aforesaid, a member adjustably secured to the rod opposite the depression, supporting means for said member and rod, and means cooperatnig wlth the web for clamping the supporting means to the sill;

9. A vehicle chassis construction having in combination, a side sill provided with a vertical web portion having a portion bent laterally to form a depression, a brake rod assembly extending adjacent the web and having a portion seated within said depression, and means cooperating with the web for clamping the portion aforesaid of the assembly in said depression. I

10. A vehicle chassis construction having in combination, a side sill having a vertical web portion fashioned to provide an opening therethrough extending transversely of the same and having a portion adjacent one edge of the opening bent laterally to form a depression in the web, a brake rod assembly extending through the opening and having a portion seated within the depression provided with a shoulder engageable with one edge of said opening for transferring the torque reactions of the assembly to the sill, and a cap member engageable with the portion aforesaid of the assembly for clamping the same within said depression.

11. A vehicle chassis construction having in combination, a side sill provided with a vertical Web portion having an opening therethrough and having a portion at one side of the opening bent laterally to form a depression, a brake rod assembly extending from a position adjacent one. side of the web through the opening to a position adj acent the opposite side of the web within the depression, means for supporting the brake rod assembly from the sill including a member telescopically engaging the assembly and having a portionlocatedwithin a depression formed in the web adjacent the depression aforesaid, and a cap engageable with the portion aforesaid of said member for clamping the same in said last mentioned depression.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

THEODORE ULRICH. 

